Swimming News: 100 Freestyle NAG Record, Reported by Braden Keith
Yet again, National Age Group Records for 14-year old Michael Andrew have come in a set of three this weekend in Plantation, Florida at the Speedo Championship Series sectionals meet.
First came the 100 fly, then came the 100 back, and now he’s taken down the 13-14 boys’ 100 free record on Sunday evening to close the meet.
Andrew swam a 51.30 in the 100 long course meter freestyle, which broke Noel Strauss’ 1987 record of 51.59. Strauss, you will recall, was the Jr. National Champion in the 50 free at just 13 years old.
That time placed Andrew 4th in the 100 free in Plantation, and now gives him a grand total of 14 out of 28 National Age Group Records in yards and meters combined.
Interestingly enough, Strauss’ swim wasn’t the oldest 13-14 boys NAG Record; it wasn’t even close, in fact. Jesse Vassallo’s 1976 time of 15:31.03 in the 1500 free still remains on the books.
Andrew also placed 4th on Sunday in his last event, the 200 back; he swam a 2:05.94 after a 2:04.06 in prelims.
Edit: I’ll ask him the next time I see him.
Damn, his body position is outrageously brilliant. Must be close to obtaining the smallest frontal profile possible taking his size into consideration. Awesome.
Ps. Does anybody know what the 13 year old Noel Strauss’s US Junior National winning time in the 50m was?
I believe his winning time was 23.95 as a 13 year old. I can’t find the details, but he may have actually swam a 24. low and done the 23.9 a few weeks later. I can’t remember for sure.
I believe his winning time was 23.95 as a 13 year old. I can’t find the details, but he may have actually swam a 24. low and done the 23.9 a few weeks later. I can’t remember for sure.
Man, that is incredible for a 13 year old! I wonder if SwimSwam could set up interviews with some of these old NAG record holders. Would be brilliant to have some insight into how they were training at the time and also what they have gotten up to since (both in swimming and otherwise).
Andrew’s stroke might appear choppy, but his DPS is solid. In this race, he took 34 strokes on the first length and 42 on the second. This seems close to the range of elite freestyle swimmers.
For instance, Adrian 33/39 in 2013:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYCQ8g_oawo&list=FLy5j7-huUNWGUa4edsHtMXA&index=5
Hoogenband 37/41 in 2001:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T9PCyVd9J4
If anything, Michael Andrew needs to improve his rate. Additionally, he needs to maintain his length on the second 50. Both of these should could with strength, maturity, and practice.
Back in the day, there was much adieu about Janet Evans stroke – particularly on the recovery… however if you watched the under water, you would see a different picture.
Thank you for mentioning the greatest record of all…Jesse’s 15:31 as a 14 year old in 1976. Epic and timeless.
It would be interesting to see what he does under the surface though.
The thing that I keep noticing about Michael is that he doesn’t have the “prettiest” of strokes. He seems to have a real wiggle to his stroke. But one thing I’ve noticed is that no one swimmer swims the same stroke in the same fashion. His stroke reminds me of the way Gabe Woodward would swim.
Thought he was rather short on his finish too. Looked like he really jammed his right arm into the wall instead of staying longer and finishing on his left…all that means is that there’s still plenty of room for improvement which is kindof a scary thing to think about with this kid.